Shirley Scott
Shirley Scott began playing piano and trumpet in her native Philadelphia. By the mid 1950s, she was playing piano in the city's thriving club scene - often with the very young John Coltrane. A club owner needed her to fill in on organ one night and the young Shirley took to it immediately, crafting a swinging, signature sound unlike anyone else almost from the get go.
On a swing through town, Basie tenor man Eddie Lockjaw Davis (1922-86) heard Scott and asked her to join his band. They recorded prolifically together - as co-leaders - and released a hugely popular series of Cookbook records for Prestige during the late 1950s.
Shirley launched her solo career in 1958, recording 23 albums for Prestige (1958-64), 10 for Impulse (1963-68), three for Atlantic (1968-70), three for Cadet (1971-73), one in 1974 for Strata East, two for Muse (1989-91) and three for Candid (1991-92).
She was married to the late, great tenor sax player Stanley Turrentine (1961-71) and the two made some of their finest music - together - for the Blue Note, Prestige, Impulse and Atlantic labels.
Her playing consistently possessed one of the most graceful and lyrical touches applied to the bulky B-3. But it was her deeply-felt understanding of the blues and gospel that made her playing most remarkable.
Shirley Scott resided in Philadelphia up until her death in early 2002. She occasionally performed locally (on piano, mostly) and was musical director of Bill Cosby's short-lived 1992 show You Bet Your Life
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Album Review
- Trio Classics, Vol. 1 by Derek Taylor
- Trio Classics, Volume 1 by C. Michael Bailey
- Like Cozy by Derek Taylor
- Soul Sister by Derek Taylor
- Legends of Acid Jazz: Shirley Scott by Douglas Payne
November 27, 2018
October 28, 2015
May 26, 2014
May 29, 2013
November 14, 2012
Shirley Scott Plays Horace Silver
March 31, 2011
Jazz Night at the Michener Museum, featuring Tim Warfield and The...
April 27, 2011
April 08, 2010
Shirley Scott - "Queen of the Organ"
March 17, 2002
Shirley Scott: Leading Lady of Soul Jazz
March 12, 2002
Shirley Scott, 67, a Philadelphia native and "Queen of the Organ"
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